Maritje Pieterse Brouwer

Marytje marr. 1) Teunis Carstens 1689/90 marr. 2) 26 Mar. 1692 Hendrick Brouwer

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bosboom-37

Records of Maritje's early life are non-existent, because Schenectady did not have a church until 1680 and any records of the next decade were likely lost when the church was burned in the 1690 massacre.

Maritje likely was born about 1665, based on first marriage no earlier than age 25 (age of consent). Her death likely occurred about 1737 at age 72, based on references to her in dated records.

Maritje married first Teunis Karstense about 1690. They had a son Benjamin about the time of Teunis' death in 1691[1]. Maritje married second Hendrick Willemsz Brouwer; they had several children identified in church records below.

Of her children, there were 2 daughters and 6 sons whom history has recorded as surviving childhood:

1. Benjamin (Karstense) Van Vleck, b. 1691
2. Johannes b. 1693; mentioned as beneficiary in father's will of 1706
3. Elisabeth b. 1695 d. 1783; not known to have married
4. Pieter b. 1697 m. 1742 d. 1758 m. Lena Fonda; 3 children known
5. Jacob b. 1700 d. spring 1730; not known to have married
6. Eva b. 1702 d. 1747 m. Johanes Dellamont; 11 children known
7. Willem b. 1704; no further record discovered; apparently twin to Cornelius
8. Cornelius b. 1704 d. 1766 m. Cornelia Barheit 1730; 3 children known
9. Hendrick b. 1706 d. after 1765 m. Elizabeth Van Eps 1732; 4 children known, possibly a 5th

Martie's second husband, Hendrick Willemsz, named her in his will dated 12 Dec 1706[2].

Maritje inherited her husband's property. Hendrick Brouwer owned a lot on the east side of church street, beginning at a point 108 feet north from the church lot and extending probably to Front street, and through his wife came into possession of one quarter of hindmost lot No. 8, which she inherited from her father Pieter Jacobsz. The will mentions son Benjamin Van Vleck (Maritje's son by Teunis Karstenz), and names Johannis Brouwer, his first son, beneficiary of a 10 Pound birthright.

Husband Hendrick died four months later. Maritje is then found on the tax list at Schenectady, New York, on 1 December 1708 as "D wedw v. hend: Brower"[3]

In spring of 1730, son Jacob, born 1700, an Indian trader, was murdered at the falls on the Oswego river by an Onondaga[4].

Maritje Brouwer was also referred to as an Indian trader[5]. On Feb. 1, 1724, the Albany Common Council is reported to have issued a standing rule "That no lycences be granted to the Indian Traders at Schinnectady as Johannis Myndertse, Nicholas Schuyler, Harmanus Vedder, Harme Van Slyck, Jan Baptist Van Eps, Barent Vrooman, Maritie Brouwers, &c", until certain offenses had been remedied[6]. Note she is the only woman listed among the Indian traders of Schenectady, in what was clearly a primarily male occupation.

Maritje is shown below in a church record as sponsor of her namesake granddaughter Maria's baptism in 1736, daughter of son Hendrick and Elisabeth Van Eps.

In three papers dated 2, 3, and 9 Jan. 1737/38, at Albany, the "Relict of Hendrick Brouwer late of Schenectady" makes over the inherited property above to her children: Benjamin Van Vleck, Peter Brouwer, Cornelius Brouwer, Hendrick Brouwer and John Delamont (possibly anglicized from De La Montagne, son-in-law, husband of Eva, a wever at Schenectady)[7]